Bill Text: WV HB2644 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requiring that Workers’ Compensation funds be disbursed to firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders when those persons are killed or become injured
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-21 - To House Government Organization [HB2644 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2017-HB2644-Introduced.html
West Virginia Legislature
2017 Regular Session
Introduced
House Bill 2644
By Delegate Lewis
[Introduced February 21, 2017; referred to the
Committee on Government Organization then Finance.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §23-4-1h, relating to requiring that Workers’ Compensation funds be disbursed to firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders when those persons are killed or become injured while responding to emergencies outside their normal geographic area.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §23-4-1h, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 4. DISABILITY AND DEATH BENEFITS.
§23-4-1h. Disbursement for firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders responding to emergencies outside of their normal geographic area.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, Workers’ Compensation benefits shall be paid to firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders employed by employers subject to this chapter, who have received personal injuries while responding to emergencies outside their immediate geographic jurisdiction, or to the dependents, if any, of the firefighter, emergency medical technician or first responder if death has ensued: Provided, That the firefighter, emergency medical technician or first responder shall only be eligible if the emergency takes place within the State of West Virginia.
(b) For the purposes of this section, an emergency shall be defined as a sudden, unforeseen happening which requires action to correct and/or protect lives and/or property.
(c) Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders are not required to be on duty or responding to a call from their employer in order to be eligible for benefits under this section.
(d) Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders and their dependents are eligible for the benefits prescribed under this section for any accident, injury or death occurring after January 1, 2016.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require that Workers’ Compensation funds be disbursed to firefighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders when those persons are killed or become injured while responding to emergencies outside their normal geographic area.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
